If you love eggplants, this Broiled Baby Eggplant recipe is one of easiest and most attractive ways to serve it. Recently, baby eggplants have become pretty much ubiquitous in major supermakets, so there is no issue in trying to track them down. This Broiled Baby Eggplant recipe can be table ready in as little as 20 minutes.
You’ll want to select eggplants that are 5-7-inches long, that have a smooth skin, and are firm to the touch. These eggplants are ideal because they have few seeds, have tender skins, and are much less bitter than full-grown versions. Here’s an article on how to select the best eggplants.
Many people prefer to roast these eggplants, which you can do in a 425° oven. However, broiling them is quicker, and it provides a nice slightly crispy browned top. Of course, if you have a grill, that would be an even better choice.
For another of my eggplant recipes, see here.
Skip Directly to the Recipe.
Slice off the stem of the eggplants, then cut each in half vertically. With a sharp paring knife, make deep diagonal slits in the flesh about 1⁄2-inch apart, without piercing the skin.
Diagonally slit the eggplants.
Spread the eggplant halves apart with your fingers, and stuff equal amounts of the finely minced garlic into each slit.
Stuff with garlic.
Try to force as much of the garlic as possible deep into the flesh, because garlic left on the surface tends to burn.
Again, spreading the eggplant halves apart, pour 1 tablespoon of the oil into the slits of each half. If your eggplants are little large, you may need more than 1⁄4 cup. The halves should be saturated, and the exposed tops should be shiny with olive oil.
One final time, spread the eggplant halves apart, and sprinkle on the kosher salt, pepper, and dried oregano.
Add olive oil and oregano.
Place the prepared eggplant halves on a broiling pan, and set your rack about 6 inches below the flame.
Broil the halves.
Broil on a low setting for about 10-15 minutes, until the eggplant halves are nicely browned, and the flesh is tender when poked with a fork. Check every few minutes for doneness because you don’t want the flesh to burn.
Broiled Baby Eggplant serves 2-4 people.
